Entertainment
Trump revels in Maduro capture
President Donald Trump struck a triumphant note over the capture of Nicolas Maduro on Saturday, saying he had watched live as US forces seized the Venezuelan leader from a “fortress.”
“I’ve never seen anything like this. I was able to watch it in real time,” the 79-year-old Republican said in a telephone interview with Fox News.
“I watched it, literally, like I was watching a television show. And if you would have seen the speed, the violence.”
Trump said no US troops were killed in the dramatic operation, adding that the Venezuelan president and his wife had been taken to a ship and would then be sent to New York, where they face drug and terrorism charges.
The US president, who is at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, said he had spoken to Maduro a week ago and told him “you have to surrender.”
He added that the United States would not allow anyone to take over where Maduro “left off” — while skirting around whether he backed Nobel Peace laureate Maria Machado to be the next president.
Trump gave a detailed description of the operation that saw the United States launch airstrikes on Venezuela before special forces captured the leftist leader, in the climax to a months-long pressure campaign.
He said that he originally gave the all clear for the operation to capture Maduro four days ago but that it was held up because of the weather, until Saturday.
“It was just amazing,” Trump said. “He was in a very highly guarded […] like a fortress actually. He was in a fortress.
“It had steel doors, it had what they call a safety space where it’s solid steel all around. He didn’t get that space closed, he was trying to get into it, but he got bum-rushed so fast that he didn’t get into that.
“We were prepared with massive blowtorches to get through the steel, but we didn’t need them.”
‘Not going to be pushed around’
Trump added that it was “amazing” that no US forces were killed, adding that a “couple of guys were hit, but they came back and they’re supposed to be in pretty good shape.”
A US helicopter was also damaged but flown out, he added.
Trump said the raid on Venezuela “sends a signal we’re not going to be pushed around as a country anymore” and warned Mexico that it too needed to crack down on drug traffickers.
US officials joined in the triumphalism, while brushing off concerns about whether the operation to capture a foreign leader was legal.
“You don’t get to avoid justice for drug trafficking in the United States because you live in a palace in Caracas,” Vice President JD Vance said on X.
He said Trump had given the Venezuelan leader “multiple off ramps” and added that Maduro was the “newest person to find out that President Trump means what he says.”
US Attorney General Pam Bondi said Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores had been indicted in the Southern District of New York on charges including “Narco-Terrorism Conspiracy,” conspiracy to import cocaine, and charges related to machineguns.
“They will soon face the full wrath of American justice on American soil in American courts,” Bondi said on X.
The indictment against Maduro was lodged in 2020 while the indictment against his wife was not previously known.
Trump’s administration in August doubled a reward for information leading to his capture to $50 million, accusing him of leading the alleged “Cartel of the Suns” drug trafficking organisation.
Trump has given differing arguments for his campaign against Venezuela, including the claim that the country is a major drug exporter to the United States and that Venezuela seized US oil interests.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio reposted a social media message from earlier this year in which he said Maduro was not the legitimate president of Venezuela following elections that international observers said were riddled with irregularities.
The Maduro capture — along with US strikes on Nigeria on Christmas Day — also come despite Trump billing himself as a “peace president” who should win the Nobel Prize.
Asked by reporters on New Year’s Eve what his resolution for 2026 was, Trump replied: “Peace on Earth.”
Alix Earle found herself at the center of intense fan chatter after being spotted getting cosy with Tom Brady on New Year’s Eve, and the reaction quickly spilled over onto her social media.
As photos from her St. Barts getaway began circulating, Brady fans wasted no time flooding the influencer’s Instagram comments with playful, teasing remarks about a possible romance.
The attention followed a photo dump Earle shared to mark the start of the new year.
“2026 we have arrived,” she captioned the post, which included beachside moments and a striking snap of her in a plunging brown dress.
While the photos focused on sun, style and celebration, many followers were clearly more interested in who might be just off camera.
“Not me seeing if Tom Brady commented lol,” one fan wrote, setting the tone for dozens of similar reactions.
Others leaned into football-themed humour, with one asking, “New year new NFL MAN???”, a nod to Earle’s recent breakup from Houston Texans wide receiver Braxton Berrios.
Another commenter joked about the rumoured upgrade, writing, “NFL man to NFL daddy.”
Some fans took the teasing even further.
“Tom Brady going for the 8th ring,” one person quipped, referencing the retired quarterback’s seven Super Bowl championships.
Another added, “Alix you the GOAT for bagging that man,” while several questioned why Brady himself didn’t appear in any of the photos.
Earle didn’t directly address the speculation but leaned into a reflective mood in her captions.
She celebrated “new beginnings” and “new friends,” adding, “Rumour has it we’re still dancing.”
In another post, she summed up the moment by writing, “New friends, new memories, and new beginnings to start off the new year :).”
Behind the scenes, sources fueled curiosity even more.
An insider shared with Page Six that Earle and Brady eventually stepped away from a larger group during the New Year’s celebration and headed to a private cabin to talk.
Another source told Us Weekly that following her split from Berrios earlier last month, Earle wasn’t looking for “anything serious.”
Brady, meanwhile, was last linked romantically to model Irina Shayk after his divorce from Gisele Bündchen.
For now, neither he nor Earle has commented on the rumours, but the playful reactions from fans show the speculation isn’t slowing down anytime soon.
Jennifer Aniston showed up in full support mode for boyfriend Jim Curtis as he marked a meaningful moment in his professional life.
The actress attended Curtis’ book event at Godmother’s bookstore in Summerland, California, on Saturday, Jan. 3, quietly cheering him on as he hosted his A Deep Reset for the New Year gathering.
The couple was photographed arriving together at the cosy bookstore, where Curtis, a hypnotherapist, connected with attendees during the event.
Curtis kept his look relaxed in a black T-shirt layered with a gray cardigan and plaid pants, while Aniston opted for a low-key winter outfit, wearing a green sweater and jeans as she stayed close by his side.
Their appearance together is the latest glimpse into a relationship that has steadily grown stronger over the past year.
Romance rumours first surfaced in July when Aniston and Curtis were spotted together on a yacht.
By November, the Friends alum made things official on Instagram, sharing a heartfelt tribute for Curtis’ 50th birthday.
As 2025 came to a close, Curtis reflected on the year with a sweet Instagram post featuring the two sitting together in a car.
“Some amazing things happened this year, but it’s always the people who make it,” he wrote.
Aniston echoed the sentiment in her own way, sharing an Instagram Reel that included a tender snap of Curtis cuddling one of her dogs.
“BUH-BYEEEEE 2025,” she captioned the clip.
According to a source close to Aniston, the relationship developed gradually and thoughtfully. “Jen really valued their friendship in the beginning of the year,” the insider said.
“When it all took a turn to something more romantic, she was cautious at first. Now, she’s excited that she just went for it.”
The source added that the connection between Aniston and Curtis feels especially meaningful.
Their relationship “feels like kismet,” and Aniston “truly loves” him. As the insider explained, “He’s brought so many good things into her life.”
From quiet bookstore appearances to shared moments online, Aniston’s support for Curtis reflects a partnership built on patience, encouragement and genuine affection.
Australian Test great Damien Martyn has woken from an induced coma following meningitis, with ex-teammate Adam Gilchrist on Sunday calling it “a miracle”.
The 54-year-old Martyn, who played 67 Tests between 1992 and 2006 and 208 one-day internationals (ODIs), fell seriously ill late last month and was rushed to hospital.
The former batsman was diagnosed with meningitis, an inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
“It’s been an unbelievable turn of events in the last 48 hours,” Gilchrist said.
“He is now able to talk and respond to treatment.
“He has responded extraordinarily well since coming out of the coma to the point where his family feels it’s like some sort of miracle.”
Martyn is set to be moved out of intensive care at Gold Coast University Hospital.
A who’s who of cricket greats have over the past week posted messages of support, including former England skipper Michael Vaughan and Indian legends Ravichandran Ashwin and VVS Laxman.
Former Pakistan captain Mohammad Yousaf was among those who wished Martyn a speedy recovery.
“As a fellow cricketer, my thoughts and prayers are with you during this incredibly difficult time. Wishing you strength, courage, and a full recovery. The cricket world stands with you,” he wrote in a post on X.
Known as one of the game’s great strokemakers, Martyn became a key figure in Steve Waugh’s all-powerful Australian side, hitting 13 centuries and averaging 46.37.
He was also part of the Australia team that won the 2003 ODI World Cup, cracking 88 not out in the final against India in a match-winning partnership with Ricky Ponting.
Martyn retired in 2006 during the Ashes series and had kept a low profile since.
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